kxng crooked

The Wu-Tang Clan has been through a lot these last couple years, but I think it’s understated how the crew has stayed together all these years. In the midst of all this, Ghostface Killah has remained busy and in my opinion is releasing some of the best hip-hop music right now. I mean come on, between “Wu-Block”, “Sour Soul” both chapters of “Twelve Reasons To Die” and more. Ghostface continues to impress and continues to release art that evokes that Wu-Tang feel while progressing his career as well. So what’s next? How about teaming up with Big Ghost LTD and grabbing a gang of legends for a project. That’s what these pair of Ghosts blessed us with in “The Lost Tapes”.

First off, stop sleeping on Big Ghost LTD, I mean it. I was reading some of his feature pieces years ago when I was in college and had no clue he was a producer. However between the Van Ghost joint with Anklejohn and his production on this, you can sign me up for whatever Big Ghost is doing. Every single beat on “The Lost Tapes” is dusty, grimy, underground fire that you feel in your soul. For some reason Wu gets a lot of flack for not just rhyming over RZA beats til 3005, but you’re missing all the way out if you don’t these tracks in your ears Big Ghost killed this.

At this point I don’t know how some don’t at least have Ghostface in the conversation for one of the best emcees to exist. This stuff sounds easy for him, from beginning to end Ghostface rips every beat to shreds. With a title like “The Lost Tapes” clearly this isn’t going to be a concept album, however Ghost has tracks like “Done It Again” that are centered around love. Other tracks like “Constant Struggle” have more of an anthem type feel to it. All of this said you still get OG Ghostface, smug, confident with razor sharp lines for you and your mama.

Lastly there are sooo many guests on this and it fits. Snoop Dogg, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Hus Kingpin, Benny The Butcher, E-40, Bishop Lamont and more help Ghostface out on “The Lost Tapes”. Guest appearances aside, Ghostface remains the star and focal point of this album, Big Ghost LTD’s production sets the stage with gritty, crackling sounds that Ghost fits perfectly on.

I do feel “The Lost Tapes” has been slept on since its release, so don’t miss out, you can stream the project below.

In the 1st half of 2018, Wu-Tang Clan fans worldwide were hopeful that the previous sale of the one of a kind Wu-Tang album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, would change hands from the currently incarcerated owner Martin Shkreli to Wu-Tang affiliate Matthew “M80” Markoff who would release it freely to the public— to be appreciated by all. In light of Markoff’s 1 million dollar offer, the sale never came to fruition and Markoff like most Wu-Tang fans simply wrote off the notion of the one of a kind album and any chance at ever being able to hear it after that.

It’s a good thing that Ghostface is a man of the people! Wu-Tang Clan’s own Ghostface Killah will release his new studio album, The Lost Tapes, alongside legendary underground producer Big Ghost on 10-5-18. The collective goal was to bring fans back to theIronman/Supreme Clientele/Cuban Linx Era sound. Both Ghost’s set out to revive that feeling, update it for 2018 and create another certified Wu-Tang Banger!

After announcing the new project a few weeks ago with “Saigon Velour,” Ghostface returns with a video for the projects second single, “Buckingham Palace,” which features Griselda Gang’s Benny The Butcher, KXNG Crooked and 38 Spesh and was exclusively premiered by Billboard. “Buckingham Palace” focuses on Royalty! Me, my fam and my regime represent the Gods” Ghostface commented to Billboard. “Survival of the fittest. Getting it by any means necessary and striving to maintain our influence on the game; everything that encompasses preserving the legacy and our prestigious throne.”

The Emcee and Production team of Forever M.C. & It’s Different have joined forces with some of Hip-Hop’s most elite artists in the game to bring the world the unprecedented soundscape for the 3-30-18 release of Forever M.C. compilation on RBC Records.

Almost a year ago (11-11-16 to be exact) today, KXNG Crooked released a manifesto in the form of Good Vs Evil. To rewind, Donald Trump had just been elected the 45th President in one of our most controversial presidential elections, divisiveness infiltrated every aspect of the populous, governmental agencies were willingly pumping poison into its communities, protests were raging in the streets, unprovoked police brutality was rampant (with zero accountability) and the societal divide widened with each passing day.

With a seemingly basic disregard for human rights, it was understood that we were living in a complicated and dangerous time. People were in search of answers and a unifying message; KXNG Crooked’s Good Vs Evil could not have appeared at a more needed time as he delivered a project that stared into the face of oppression and struck a nerve.

Though it seems counter-intuitive and unimaginative, the year that has passed in-between has led us even further astray. The Donald Trump era has borne witness to fake news, championing racism, bigotry, separatism, sexism and a general contempt for rule of law. Further, he continues his quest to eradicate the health care of millions, advocated a foreign government meddling in an election, diminished our standing in the International community and displayed more concern about the behavior of NFL football players; then he has for the well-being of the citizens he is sworn to uphold.

Welcome to the new normal!

Thankfully, KXNG Crooked’s Good Vs Evil 2: The Red Empire picks up right where its predecessor left off. On the surface, Good Vs Evil 2 is the epitome of woke; a politically and socially conscious decree that demands to be heard and processed. At its core, it’s designed to be the theme music that Colin Kapernick and a generation can proudly knell to.

While Trump is busy adding to his portfolio by peddling pumpkin MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats, Crooked’s “The MAGA Continues” examines the other side of the catchphrase that 45 used as his campaign slogan; one that has further empowered law enforcement that “used to kill us in the dark, now they just do it in the light.”

Just like any good leader, Crooked isn’t afraid to rock the boat if a culture change is in order, especially those who have the platform to affect change, but lack the fortitude to do so; and he is more than willing to sacrifice Jason Whitlock for Gregg Popovich. Here’s some words from the KXNG.

“Donald Trump coined the now famous acronym MAGA. I personally believe the phrase ‘Make America Great Again’ is a dog whistle for racism and turning the clocks of progression backwards” Crooked commented to Mass Appeal. “The way the country is currently divided it seems to be working. I’m really just letting off steam on the joint, but some important points are definitely being touched on. One point I covered in the song is being widely overlooked; maybe because it’s a fairly new form of division in Hip Hop. I’ve done many shows with white rappers and seen some of their fans in the crowd wearing confederate flag and swastika symbols on their clothing. Shit blew my mind. Nobody talks about this element in Hip Hop that is growing and will cause division on another level. I chose to speak on it because Hip Hop is a tool for unification and we need to keep it that way. How long will we allow the MAGA to continue?”